Karumadi
Karumadi lies about 3 kms east of Ambalapuzha which is 14 km from Alappuzha (Alleppey). The village is famous for its black granite figure of the Buddha from the 9th or 10th century known as 'Karumadi Kuttan' (literally meaning the 'Boy from Karumadi'). It is believed that Buddhism existed prominently in Kerala in the 9th and 10th century and the statue remains as a memoir of those days. There are many traditions connected to this idol and it attracts many archeologists and travelers to Karumadi every year. Dalai Lama called on this place during his visit to Kerala in 1965. 

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, one of the most excellent bird sanctuaries in India, is on the banks of the Vembanad lake. Though located in the district of Kottayam, the place is easily accessible from Alappuzha. Well known for its avian population, the sanctuary offers a range of bird watching spots for avid bird watchers. Sprawls an area of about 14 acres, it is an ornithologist's Paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds. Around 91 local species of birds and 50 migratory birds are found here. It will take around six hours to watch the birds. Read more details..

Muppalam
Muppalam near Alleppey Beach, is about 2Km away from Alleppey town. It can be considered as the only bridge of its kind in the whole of Kerala. Here three bridges meet at one place to join three roads. 

Mavelikkara
Mavelikkara, the headquarters of the Mavelikkara taluk in Alappuzha district, was formerly the seat of the Pandalam Rajas and was known as Airoor Swaroopam. Places of tourism interest here are the Buddha statue, one of the rarest of its kind in the state, now preserved by the state Archaeology Department; 'Saradha Mandiram', residence of the Late poet A.R. Rajaraja Varma; the Chettikulangara Bhagavathy temple, Sree Krishan Swamy temple, Mahadeva temple having ancient inscriptions at Kandiyoor etc.

Saradha Mandiram
A.R. Rajaraja Varma, a famous poet and grammarian has contributed a lot to Malayalam literature. His residence 'Saradha Mandiram' in Mavelikkara, is now conserved by the State Government and maintained as a memorial to him.

Buddha Statue
The Buddha statue in Mavelikkara in a seating posture is four foot high and is kept enclosed in a pagoda like structure. The engravings on the head resemble a headgear. There are markings of a shawl and a sacred thread on the body of the idol.

Kuttanad
Kuttanad, the amazingly beautiful land of luxurious green paddy fields in Alappuzha district is popularly known as the 'rice bowl of Kerala'. This small area lying between the sea and the hills is made up of a maze of waterways including lakes, canals, rivers and streams.

The altitude of the area extending for about 900 sq. Km., ranges from 0.6 m above to 2.2 m below sea level. It is the only place in India, where agriculture is done below sea level. Most of the land remain under water, for the major part of the year. Four main rivers such as Pampa, Meenachil, Manimala and Achankovil flow into Kuttanad. During monsoon, water rises to submerge most of the farm area and the top soil and minerals washed out from the highlands gets deposited here, making this area highly fertile. At other times the farm is deliberately flooded in a controlled manner to facilitate rice farming. Besides paddy, bananas, Yams and Casava are grown in plenty here.

Earlier boats were the only means of transport in the area, but now there are road access to the place. To get a feel of the picturesque place one must take a boat ride from Alappuzha to Changanacherry (2 1/2 hours) in Kottayam district. Most of the snake boat races in are held through the maze of lakes and canals in Kuttanad. Houseboat cruises through the area is an out of the world experience for the tourists. 

Q S T & R-Block
Q S T & R-Block in Kuttanad Taluk in Alleppey district are beautiful islands, famous for its paddy fields and coconut palm groves. These islets are formed by retrieving land from the backwaters and fencing them with mud walls. Paddy fields here are 4-10 ft below sea level. These islands are an example of how cultivation and habitation is made possible by indigenous techniques of agricultural engineering. They are a shelter for wandering birds. R Block Island is famous for the fresh toddy served to guests and fresh fish delicacies including crabs, clams, prawns and a variety of fish, which are prevalent in the backwaters here. Speed boats and motor boats are available for hire at the KSWTD boat jetty from Alappuzha and a ride along the back waters that enclose these islets is a memorable experience. It takes about 2 hrs by motor boat and 30 min by speedboat to reach the islands from Alappuzha.

Pathiramanal Island
Pathiramanal is a small but beautiful island located in the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake, 14km from Alappuzha town. The island with an area of 10 acres is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the land. There is a footpath around the island for the convenience of the tourists. The island lies between Thaneermukkom in Alappuzha district and Kumarakom in Kottayam district and can be accessed only by boat from Kumarakom or Muhamma. It takes one and half hours by motor boat and 30 minutes by speed boat to reach the island. There is a legendary tale about the formation of the island. It is believed that a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake, to carry out his evening ablutions and that portion of water made way for land ascending from below, thus creating this enthralling island of Pathiramanal, also known as sands of midnight. The island is a perfect place to take a break while on a backwater cruise in the backwaters.

Punnapra
Punnapra, is a village located near Alappuzha which has gone down into history as the battle ground between the Communists and the erst-while Travancore state police in the Punnappra- Vayalar Communist uprising of 1946. This uprising strengthened the approach of the people against the then Diwan of Travancore, Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, which finally led to his departure from the political scenario of Travancore. A memorial to the martyrs in Punnapra, stands testimony to the event, which the state Government declared as part of the freedom struggle. The Punnapra-Vayalar Riot tombs is situated at Kaithavana, 3Km away from Alappuzha Town. 

Mararikulam
Mararikulam, located 12 Kms from Alappuzha and 60 km from Kochi, has a quiet, pristine beach and an adjacent fishing village. The Marari beach is a perfect place to relax with an enormous stretch of golden sand and water, lined by palm trees. Small Fishing boats are parked in rows on the beach and one can see men going out to sea in boats for fishing. The village here gives a glimpse of the rural lifestyle of the people. The famous Marari beach resort here offers accommodation and leisure such as water sports, tennis, rejuvenating Ayurveda treatments. They have 52 cottages separated by generous stretches of open parkland, dotted with fruit-laden trees. The twisting village pathways between the cottages are a faithful echo of the originals.

Kumarakodi
Kumarakodi situated 20 km south of Alappuzha is the final resting place of Kumaranasan, one of the greatest poets of Malayalam Literature. Besides his memorial tomb, there is a library in the name of the poet. Asan's (1873-1924) literary classics paved the way for a new momentum in Malayalam literature. He was also a prominent social worker and an ardent fighter against caste system. He passed away at the age of 50 years in a boat accident in the backwaters here on the way to Alappuzha from Kollam. Kumarakodi located on the banks of Pallana river, is close to Harippad town. Pattanichira Bridge connecting two Panchayaths namely Thrikunnapuzha and Karuvatta is a short-cut way to reach Mahakavi's tomb.

Champakulam
Champakulam, a water logged village located about 26 km from Alappuzha city is well known for the boat race held here. Champakulam boat race (Champakkulam Moolam Vallamkali) is the first race which marks the beginning of the month long festival season of Alappuzha. The traditional Snake Boat (Chundan vallom) race is the main item at the Champakulam race conducted in June (on the moolam day of the Midhunam month of the Malayalam era) annually, in the Champakulam Lake. It marks the installation of the famous idol of Lord Krishna in Ambalapuzha Sree Krishnaswamy temple, brought from Karinkulam temple in Kurichi near Kottayam, four centuries ago.

Some of the interesting spots in Champakulam include the St. Mary's Forane Church (Syrian) built in 1870 by the Portuguese on the site of one of the original churches of St Thomas, the Apostle. There are beautiful mural paintings in the church. The St. Thomas Statuary near the church makes wooden statues of Christ for export. There is rarely any traffic other than the occasional cycle and canoes in this place. The Kalloorkkad Angadi here is one of the ancient markets in the locality.